The Wellness Syndrome audiobook cover - Why healthy living isn't all it says it is

The Wellness Syndrome

Why healthy living isn't all it says it is

Carl Cederström and André Spicer

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Personal DevelopmentHealth & Nutrition

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The Wellness Syndrome
Wellness as an Ideology+
Biomorality+
Psychological Toll+
Corporate Exploitation+
Political Consequences+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
According to the text, how does the modern concept of 'wellness' differ from simply exercising and eating healthily?
  • A. It functions as an ideology that equates a healthy body with overall success and happiness.
  • B. It focuses exclusively on physical strength rather than mental or emotional well-being.
  • C. It encourages a balanced approach to occasional indulgence and strict discipline.
  • D. It prioritizes collective public health initiatives over individual lifestyle choices.
Question 2 of 6
Why does the author mention French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre?
  • A. To prove that a diet of coffee and cigarettes is scientifically beneficial for deep philosophical thought.
  • B. To illustrate how modern wellness contracts might deprive students of the rebellious, mind-expanding experiences that inspired past thinkers.
  • C. To show how early existentialist philosophers were the original pioneers of the modern wellness movement.
  • D. To demonstrate that neglecting one's physical health inevitably leads to a shortened career in academia.
Question 3 of 6
What does philosopher Alenka Zupančič mean by the term 'biomorality'?
  • A. The ethical responsibility of governments to provide organic food to all citizens.
  • B. The biological instinct humans have to care for the sick and vulnerable in their communities.
  • C. The societal belief that taking care of one's body is a moral imperative, making healthy people 'good' and unhealthy people 'bad.'
  • D. The medical ethics surrounding the use of recreational drugs and alcohol in university settings.
Question 4 of 6
How does the strict adherence to the wellness doctrine typically affect individuals when they fail to meet their health goals?
  • A. It encourages them to seek out community support and build stronger social ties.
  • B. It leads to intense feelings of guilt, anxiety, and social isolation.
  • C. It prompts them to re-evaluate and lower their expectations to more realistic levels.
  • D. It fosters a healthy resilience and a renewed commitment to self-improvement.
Question 5 of 6
What is identified as the 'dark side' of corporate wellness programs, such as mindfulness courses?
  • A. They shift the blame for workplace stress onto the employees, ignoring systemic issues like overwhelming workloads.
  • B. They cost companies too much money, leading to lower overall wages for employees.
  • C. They force employees to spend their weekends and evenings participating in mandatory health retreats.
  • D. They cause employees to become too relaxed, significantly decreasing overall company productivity.
Question 6 of 6
How have politicians utilized the wellness ideology to justify cuts to the welfare state?
  • A. By arguing that welfare funds should be redirected exclusively toward national fitness programs.
  • B. By claiming that government-funded healthcare is less effective than private wellness coaching.
  • C. By promoting the idea that personal success or failure is solely the result of an individual's mindset and effort, regardless of economic conditions.
  • D. By proving that unemployed individuals are physically incapable of joining the modern workforce without wellness interventions.

The Wellness Syndrome — Full Chapter Overview

The Wellness Syndrome Summary & Overview

The Wellness Syndrome (2015) explains why a health craze that’s sweeping the world may not be all that healthy for you. These blinks get to the root of why we’re obsessed with making ourselves happier, healthier and harder-working – and who is reaping the benefits of this obsession.

Who Should Listen to The Wellness Syndrome?

  • Self-help practitioners looking for alternate viewpoints
  • Students of sociology
  • People suffering from work-related anxiety or depression

About the Author: Carl Cederström and André Spicer

Carl Cederström is an associate professor of organization theory at Stockholm University. His work has been published in the Guardian, the New York Times and the Harvard Business Review.

André Spicer is a leading thinker on subjects such as organizational behavior, leadership and corporate responsibility. He is a professor of organizational behavior at Cass Business School at City, University of London and the founding director of ETHOS: The Center for Responsible Enterprise at the University.

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